The Graduate Program in Environmental Health Sciences has awarded more than 150 MS and 200 Ph.D. degrees since 1958. Listed below are the names of our Ph.D. graduates since 1994, their research area of study, titles of their dissertations and the names of their research mentors.

Ph.D. GRADUATES SINCE 1994

2006

Haobin Chen - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Max Costa, Ph.D.
"The Distrubance of Cellular Iron Regulation by Soluble Nickel Exposure, its Mechanisms and its Implications"

Todd Davidson - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Max Costa, Ph.D.
"Effects of Soluble Nickel on Iron Homeostasis: Possible Role in Nickel-Mediated Carcinogenesis"

Robin Gillespie - Ergonomics and Biomechanics
Research Mentor: Manny Halpern, Ph.D.
"Investigating the Musculoskeletal Impact of Computer and Electronic Game Use on Children and Adolescents"

2005

Zachary Berger - Epidemiology
Research Mentor: George Friedman-Jimenez, M.D.
"Workplace Exacerbation of Asthma Symptoms in an Urban Hospital Population"

Evangelos Pappas - Ergonomics and Biomechanics
Research Mentor: Ali Sheikhzadeh, Ph.D.
"The Effect of Gender and Fatigue on the Biomechanics of Landing from a Jump"

Jonathan Eckard - Toxicology
Research Mentors: Krystyna Frenkel, Ph.D. and Xi Huang, Ph.D.
"Role of Iron and Iron Metabolism in Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-Mediated Events"

Chun Yi Wu - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Lung Chi Chen, Ph.D.
"Receptor Modeling of Volatile Organic Air Toxics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Area"

Jing Han - Biostatistics
Research Mentors: Judith Goldberg, Sc.D. and Yongzhao Shao, Ph.D.
"Family-based Linkage Analysis Allowing for Missing Parental Information"

2004

Claudio Sorrentino - Toxicology/Aquatic
Research Mentor: Isaac I. Wirgin, Ph.D.
"Impact of Exposure to Metals on Gene Expression Induced by Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Its Ecotoxicological Implications"

Rita Yusuf - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Krystyna Frenkel, Ph.D.
"Oxidative and Estrogen Receptor-Mediated Events in the Transformation of Human Breast Epithelial Cells MCF-10A"

Danielle Sheng - Biostatistics
Research Mentors: Mimi Kim, Ph.D. and Judith D. Goldberg, Ph.D.
"Statistical Issues in Equivalence and Non-Inferiority Trials"

2003

Zhanpeng Yuan - Toxicology/Aquatic
Research Mentor: Isaac I. Wirgin, Ph.D.
"Resistance of CYP1A1 mRNA Induction to Halogenated Aryl Hydrocarbons in Atlantic Tomcod (Microgadus tomcod) from the Hudson River - Its Prevalence and Mechanistic Basis

Shuaili Chen - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Fredric J. Burns, Ph.D.
"Retinoid Action on Gene Expression Induced by Low-LET Irradiation of Rat Skin"

Samantha DeLeon - Exposure Assessment and Health Effects
Research Mentor: Kazuhiko Ito, Ph.D.
"The Role of Respiratory Disease as a Contributing Cause of Short-Term Non-Respiratory Mortality Associations with Ambient Particle Mass"

2002

Scott Wesselkamper - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Terry Gordon, Ph.D.
"Generation of a Mouse Model and Genetic Analyses of Potential Molecular Mechanisms in the Development of Pulmonary Tolerance"

Erik Carlson - Toxicology/Aquatic
Research Mentor: Judith T. Zelikoff, Ph.D.
"Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Immune Alteration in the Japanese Medaka Oryzias latipes: Probing the Underlying Cellular Mechanisms"

Hakan Cangul - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Max Costa, Ph.D.
"Cap43: A New Cancer Marker Protein Related to Tumor Hypoxia"

Marco Campello - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Margareta Nordin, Med.Dr.Sci.
"Physical and Psychosocial Predictors of Work Retention after a Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation"

2001

Marshall Hagins - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Ali Sheikhzadeh, Ph.D.
"Breath Control During Lifting on Intra-abdominal Pressure and Maximal Isometric Trunk Extensor Force"

Kenneth J. Harwood - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Sherri Weiser, Ph.D.
"The Process of Returning to Work Following an Episode of Disabling Low Back Pain: A Phenomenological Study"

Yair Hazi - Exposure Assessment and Health Effects
Research Mentor: Beverly S. Cohen, Ph.D.
"Measurements of Acidic Sulfates and Trace Metals in Fine and Ultrafine Ambient Particulate Matter: Size Distribution, Number Concentration and Source Region"

Joshua E. Muscat - Epidemiology
Research Mentor: Roy E. Shore, Ph.D., Dr.P.H.
"Handheld Mobile Phone Use and the Risk of Primary Brain Cancer"

2000

Daniel Formosa - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Margareta Nordin, Med.Dr.Sci.
"Automobile Instrument Panel Design: Reach Capabilities of Younger and Older Drivers"

Janeen R. Azare - Toxicology
Research Mentors: Max Costa, Ph.D. and Eliezer Flescher, Ph.D.
"Apoptosis of T Lymphoma Cells by P-glycoprotein Inhibitors"

J.A. Formisano, Jr. - Exposure Assessment and Health Effect
Research Mentor: Morton Lippmann, Ph.D.
"Analyses of the U.S. Navy's Occupational Exposure Database (NOED)"

1999

R. Charon Gwynn - Exposure Assessment and Health Effects
Research Mentor: George D. Thurston, Sc.D.
"A Time-Series Analysis of Mortality and Hospital Admissions Associations with Particulate Matter Air Pollution Components in Two New York Metropolitan Areas"

José F. Morales - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Elizabeth T. Snow, Ph.D.
"The Environmental and Cellular Factors that Affect the Transcription of the Human Retrotransposon L1Hs"

Manny Halpern - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Margareta Nordin, Med.Dr.Sci.
"The Effects of Low Back Pain on the Perception of Job Demands: Developments of a Clinical Research Instrument"

Jean-Marc Guichet - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Margareta Nordin, Med.Dr.Sci.
"Bone Formation During Limb Lengthening - Animal Experimentation With and Without Preservation of Bone Marrow and/or Periosteum"

1998

Wattana Jalayondeja - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Margareta Nordin, Med.Dr.Sci.
"Muscle Recruitment Patterns During Pushing and Pulling"

Vicki Voitkun - Environmental Oncology
Research Mentor: Max Costa, Ph.D.
"Formation and Mutagenic Properties of Amino Acid/Glutathione-DNA Crosslinks Induced by Carcinogenic Chromium Compounds

Alvin R. Little, Jr. - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Alexandre G. Petrenko, Ph.D.
"Characterization of Glucocorticoid Regulation of the Calcium-Independent Receptor of α-Latrotoxin (CIRL)"

Peter Jaques - Exposure Assessment and Health Effects
Research Mentors: George D. Thurston, Sc.D. and Morton Lippmann, Ph.D.
"Development Characterization and Application of a Sodium Chloride Aerosol Bolus Dispersion Technique for the Detection of Effects of Airborne Irritants on the Small Airways of the Lung"

1997

Mark S. Condon - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Maarten C. Bosland, D.V.Sci., Ph.D.
"Stromal-Epithelial Interactions in Prostate Carcinogenesis"

Stephen C. Hosselet - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Fredric J. Burns, Ph.D.
"Ionizing Radiation-Induced Transformation of Rat Skin Keratinocytes Transfected with the c-myc Oncogene"

Joanna M. Matheson - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Carroll A. Snyder, Ph.D.
"Immune Mechanisms in Metal-Induced Nephrotoxicity"

Maire Heikkinen - Exposure Assessment and Health Effects
Research Mentor: Naomi H. Harley, Ph.D.
"A Portable, Integrating Diffusion Battery for the Measurement of Radon Progeny Particle Size Distribution in Indoor Air"

Ann Barr - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Nihat Ozkaya, Ph.D.
"The Effect of Computer Mouse Design on Risk Factors for Cumulative Trauma Disorders and on Patterns of Motor Coordination of the Forearm and Wrist in Skilled and Novice Users"

Ali Sheikhzadeh - Biomechanics and Ergonomics
Research Mentor: Mohamad Parnianpour, Ph.D.
"The Effect of Pure and Complex Loading on the Recruitment Patterns of Ten Selected Trunk Muscles"

Anita Ballesteros - Environmental Oncology
Research Mentor: Seymour J. Garte, Ph.D.
"Expression of the Retinoblastoma Gene in Rat: A Study of Four Rat Strains"

Daoji Zhou - Environmental Oncology
Research Mentor: Max Costa, Ph.D.
"Identification and Characterization of a Novel Gene Specifically Induced by Nickel Compounds"

Cong Lai - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Jerome J. Solomon, Ph.D.
"Epoxide-Induced 3-(2-Hydroxyalkyl)uracil: Mechanisms of Formation and Persistence in DNA"

Ilona Jaspers - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Lung-Chi Chen, Ph.D.
"Cellular Mechanisms Mediating Ozone-Induced IL-8 Production in Respiratory Epithelial Cells"

Jatinder Singh - Environmental Oncology
Research Mentor: Elizabeth T. Snow, Ph.D.
"Mechanisms of DNA Replication Across O⁶ methylguanine by Human DNA Polymerase β and the Effects of Chromium (III) on the Functions of DNA Polymeraseβ"

1996

Jean M. Donahue - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Opinder S. Bhanot, Ph.D.
"Studies on the Biological Significance of Ethylating Agent-Induced N3-Ethyldeoxythymidine"

Cheryl Malka Grunwald - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Isaac I. Wirgin, Ph.D.
"Effects of Exogenous and Endogenous Factors on Hepatic CYP1A mRNA Expression in Atlantic Tomcod"

Zhaolong Gong - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Hugh L Evans, Ph.D.
"DMSA (Succimer) Reduces the Neurotoxicity of Lead"

Timothy J. McGovern - Toxicology
Research Mentors: Hassan A.N. El-Fawal, Ph.D. and Lung-Chi Chen, Ph.D.
"Pharmacological Mechanisms in the Pulmonary Toxicity of Sulfuric Acid Aerosol and Ozone"

1995

Xinhua Lin - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Max Costa, Ph.D.
"Studies of Nickel Induced Neoplastic Transformation in Cultured Human Osteoblasts"

Frank Hubbard - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Seymour J. Garte, Ph.D.
"The Role of H-ras in the Malignant Conversion of Rat Tracheal Epithelial Cells"

Frances Crofts - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Seymour J. Garte, Ph.D.
"CYP1A1 Polymorphisms and Genetic Susceptibility to Lung Cancer: The Role of Genotype, Phenotype, and Ethnicity"

Tracy Ashkenazi-Kimmel - Toxicology
Research Mentors: Christine Nadziejko, Ph.D. and M. Bosland, D.V.Sc., Ph.D.
"Interactive Effects of Exposure to Sulfuric Acid Aerosol and Ozone on Morphology of the Rat Lung: Importance of Aerosol Droplet Size"

Stacey Waterman - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Carroll A. Snyder, Ph.D. and Hassan A.N. El-Fawal, Ph.D.
"Immune Mechanisms in Lead Induced Neurotoxicity"

Yong Woo Lee - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Max Costa, Ph.D.
"Molecular Mechanisms of 6-Thioguanine Resistance Induced by Carcinogenic Nickel Compounds in the Transgenic G12 Chinese Hamster Cells: A Relevance to the Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Nickel Carcinogenesis"

Zekiye Hiz - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Fredric J. Burns, Ph.D.
"A 2-Stage Model with Repair for Radiation Carcinogenesis"

Patricia Weideman - Toxicology
Research Mentor: Albert F. Gunnison, Ph.D.
"Comparison of the Pulmonary Inflammatory Response of Lactating and Postlactating Rats to Acute Ozone Exposure and Evaluation of the Influence of Inhaled Dose"

1994

Yue E. Chin - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Elizabeth T. Snow, Ph.D.
"Mechanistic Studies of Effects of Nickel (Ni2+) on DNA Replication"

Theodore Rahon - Exposure Assessment and Health Effects
Research Mentor: Gerard R. Laurer, Ph.D.
"Design of a Gamma Radiation Detection and Imaging System for Long Range and Remote Applications"

Jay Fleisher - Epidemiology
Research Mentor: Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte, M.D.
"Intervention Follow-up Studies Designed to Identify the Health Effects of Bathing in Marine Waters Contaminated with Domestic Sewage"

Douglas P. Nesta - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Arthur Penn, Ph.D.
"Identification and Characterization of a Variant Collagen α3 (VI) From Rooster Arteriosclerotic Plaques"

Zaolin Wang - Molecular Toxicology/Carcinogenesis
Research Mentor: Toby G. Rossman, Ph.D.
"Molecular Mechanisms of Arsenite Resistance in Chinese Hamster V79 Cells"